Color Solutions for Women and Girls Who Hate ‘Pinkification’

When people think about shopping for girls, pink is often the first color that comes to mind. However, not every girl likes the color pink or looks good in it. Still, that doesn’t mean you need to rush to the boys’ section to find clothes. There are lots of alternatives out there for shoppers who want to find something feminine but want an alternative to pink.

Believe it or not, there was once a time when the girls’ aisle and the boys’ aisle weren’t quite so segregated. Clothes and toys were red, blue, bright green, yellow – the kinds of colors that grab kids’ attention and stimulate their imaginations.

Nowadays it’s hard to shop in the mall at all without seeing pink everywhere. Take a step back – realize not everything in the store made for girls is pink. Some of that pink you’re seeing is magenta. Some is purple. Some is white. What are the other options? It’s true, some stores might go overboard. If pink is all the store has, it’s time to move on. And be sure to let the store manager know why you’re leaving the store empty-handed.

What other options are still feminine but not pink? Some girls are happy to wear soft mint or sage greens and light yellows. Peach is a nice alternative to pink, as are various shades of violet. White is always an option. Pastels are usually popular in the spring but if that’s not your daughter’s style, there are more options year round.

Summer often brings bolder shades of every color. Bright patterns, bright colors – think about bold raspberry, and orange-yellows like marigold or tangerine. In the fall, browns and sage and pumpkin can look great – a nice bold shirt with a sunflower on it. In the winter, colors often shift to seasonal red, green and sometimes black or navy velvet and toward grays.

Remember, there’s nothing written in stone that says girls can’t wear black. A lot of stores have black with colorful patterns on it and it’s flattering and bright.

For adults, it’s often easier to avoid pink. Navy and green have been big colors this year, and for feminine colors, nothing beats white, ivory, soft yellows or a beige tone like camel with some great accessories. Denim looks good on everyone, and soft grays and violets are always good.

But what about sleepwear, workout attire and yoga clothing? Sometimes in a store that caters to women’s undergarments and workout wear, it’s nearly impossible to find something in the women’s section that doesn’t include pink. But, if you look carefully, often there are red, orange or purple options. Lime green and other neon colors are easy to spot on runners, so a lot of athletic wear comes in the neon family.

At the end of the day, any color can work on anyone and still look feminine. But there’s also nothing wrong with wandering into the boy’s department. Some of those clothes are just fine for girls – your daughter will wear that shirt with the skateboard on it. And that shark t-shirt is cool. And it doesn’t matter whether your two-year-old is into tea parties or trucks – she’s still your special girl, no matter what color she’s wearing.